March 11, 2024

We worked with Dave on the Ephrata Ambo and Medic 4. He had a heart of gold and was a generous man. He mentored many men over the years, and in the process created an amazing legacy. He loved his orange/rust Jeep Wagoneer with the ambo blue light. We lost touch with him when we left for Maryland in ’92. I just discovered his obit. Our condolences to the family. I know I will see him again.
GEOFF & ROBIN SEIDEL

August 28, 2023

   Pauline…I know you surrounded in love with family as of these past few days…which is such a blessing…my heart and prayers are with you…and both your families. 
  Please do not hesitate to call or text if you need anything…You know you are loved…stay strong.
Peggy A. Marram

August 28, 2023

   What words can I even begin to find…to describe an ICON of a Man …David Thomas was in mine and Raymond’s lives and so many others that knew and loved him for decades. Not only through years and years of successful business ventures but more importantly the close relationship,respect and trust we had between us.
   I have held the utmost highest esteem for David in the Furniture Business since 1992….from the first day I personally “challenged “him to place me in a Sale as a Manager. He took a chance on me…decided to have faith in me….it was all history after that…we moved forward for decades as partners in successful sales….He was amazing!
   I learned so much from him and his experience, but what I admired and cherished the most about him was his INTEGRITY and PROFESSIONALISM. Not to mention his kindness and optimistic spirit and what a contagious smile!!
   I will forever have a place in my heart that he once held like a brother…that I feel I will carry with me always…I will miss him terribly…but I am sure there will be numerous times in the future that I will be in situations when I will question decisions…and he will come to my mind and heart…and my questions will be answered and a smile will cross my face…and a tear roll down my cheek in his memory of or days together.
   I love you David Thomas… until we see each other again…my partner in business, my dear friend….my Brother in Christ.
Peggy A. Marram

August 27, 2023

A very very fine man — so honored to have known him.
HOPE R ANTONOFF

August 26, 2023

Pauline, there are few words to ease your pain. Sending healing prayers and comfort during this difficult time. May all your many wonderful memories help comfort you. Dave was a wonderful husband, father, som, grandfather and friend. What a privilege it has been to know David these past 40 years, both in business and personal which developed into a long and lasting friendship. He added so much to our senior luncheons  every other week over the past many years. God bless you, and prayers for you and David. He will be remembered for all his kindness, wit and so much more. We were all blessed to know this wonderful man. Rest in peace. Forever your friend. Dan Boyle

August 24, 2023

August 24,2023
So sorry for your loss, David was always there to help with that wonderful smile of his.  Even though he hasn’t been with GRA for a while now, he was missed then and will be miseed now.  Blessings to the family.
Barbara Savickas and Robert Samowich
 

August 24, 2023

David was one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever met. He helped me get my career started in the furniture industry and took my mother and me under his wing for years. He bought me my first business suit in my 20’s at a Taylor in Ephrata. We spent years together driving the east coast, evaluating businesses.  He was a great mentor and a great man. He will be missed. Sincere condolences to his family. May he rest in peace. 
Rob Headman

August 24, 2023

We have very fond memories of our friend and classmate. Merv sang in men’s quartet with Dave following graduation. Marilyn remembers sitting next to Dave in several classes at LMHS. We send our love and condolences to Dave’s family. 
Merv & Marilyn (Strong) Leaman

August 24, 2023

Pauline, I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  Keep your faith and God will comfort and strengthen you in the days ahead.  So sorry I can not attend the service as I have to work that day.  Please call me at 717-330-1132
so we can get together.
Beverly Miller Wagner

August 24, 2023

Dave was a great friend and help to our Paw Paw, Chet Long. My brother Jed and I were remembering this today and it is always a blessing to have friends like Dave. May God comfort the family and through his example encourage us all to be a good friend to others.
Stu Metzler

August 23, 2023

David was an awesome guy. my parents knew him from being in the furniture business & from him being master of ceremonies for the quartet groups when there were the Ephrata High School & then him being with EMS. He was also our competition in the furniture business at Stauffer’s in Ephrata & we are in Leola. When we closed our store in 86 David hired me to go with his liquidation company, David was the first guy we knew to have those old car phones in the bags. I think he drove a huge Lincoln continental. you just smiled when you’d see David drive up.

I was19 years old & David put me with Bob Crawford & I went from warehouse to sales & then management. when I didn’t think I was moving up as quickly as I thought I should, David came into the store & asked me how I was doing. I just said, I guess ok, Dave must have picked up on me being down & next thing I know I have a 3 page letter giving me so much encouragement. We were sent to work with another GRA manager & they told me to do book work.. I never did book work before but I took accounting in high school so I figured I could do it, but I was nervous, So David came down & gave me the papers & told me this is the info he needed, this is how you write a p& l . That helped me so much

Once David met Dennis & me at store we were to manage, it was a bankrupt store the water was turned off & someone used the bathroom. David told us, you go to lunch I have something i need to do., we seen him pushed up his sleeves & went in and cleaned those disgusting toilets.
 
I know he’s enjoying all the rewards God promises us.  Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 

He was a special man & Dennis & we will miss him.
Dennis & Diane LaMonica

August 23, 2023

So sorry, a good friend and truly a helpful and nice man. He was loved and will be missed by many
 
Jack and Marge Lashay